Planned procurement · Notice 094099-2026
Dry dilution refrigerator with anti-vibration system for mK scanning probe microscopy
- Value
- Value not stated
- Stage
- Early notice
- Where
- London
- Lots
- 1
- Suitable for SMEs
- Yes, says the buyer
- Contract
- 1 Dec 2026 – 1 Dec 2027
In plain English
NPL Management Limited needs a dry dilution refrigerator with an ultra-low-vibration mK experimental platform for scanning probe microscopy on superconducting quantum circuits, including wiring, vibration mitigation and ancillary equipment, but not the microscope itself. The system must be delivered and installed before March 2028, with the contract running from 1 December 2026 to 1 December 2027.
Good fit for: Specialist cryogenics and precision scientific instrument manufacturers experienced in dilution refrigerators and vibration isolation for quantum research.
- Must achieve very strict vibration performance levels
Any individual peaks in the vibration spectrum (horizontal and vertical) measured from 10 Hz up to at least 1000 Hz not exceeding a peak-to-peak displacement of 0.5 nm/rtHz.
- Compliance must be proven in factory testing witnessed by NPL
the above vibration levels shall be achieved in factory testing, with NPL staff present during final testing to witness compliance.
- Strict delivery deadline before March 2028
The system shall be delivered and installed before March 2028.
- Detailed technical specifications on size, weight, wiring and cooling power must all be met
The total weight of the system shall not exceed 2000 kg.
Written with AI from the official notice. Check the notice before relying on it.
What the buyer says
NPL is seeking a solution for a new dry dilution refrigerator (“the system”) in which scanning probe microscopy experiments will be carried out at mK temperatures on live superconducting quantum circuits. NPL wishes to use the system for atomic scale scanning tunnelling microscopy and atomic force microscopy. As such, the system must provide a low vibration and high coherence environment (light tight mixing chamber volume). Significant emphasis will be placed on the lowest possible vibration levels that can be achieved. It is anticipated that a solution provides both a mK vibration isolation system and various vibration mitigation measures at room temperature. The scope includes the dilution refrigerator having a low-vibration experimental platform at mK temperature, the experimental wiring tree to the mK experimental platform, and any room-temperature or low-temperature vibration reducing measures, any gas handling system, vacuum pumps or electronics required to operate the system. The system does not include the scanning probe microscopy unit itself, this will be provided and integrated by NPL. In the below we denote “the mixing chamber plate” as the standard plate of the dilution refrigerator that reaches the specified temperature and cryogenic performance. We further specify an “experimental plate” which may be the same as the “mixing chamber plate” in some implementations, but it may for some vibration isolating solutions be a separate plate on which the experimental scanning probe system and apparatus is mounted. It is in that case assumed that the experimental plate is thermally anchored to the mixing chamber plate and reaches the same base temperature, and sits within the enclosed mixing chamber shielded volume. Description • A “dry” pulse tube cooled dilution r…
Procedure: not stated. Published 6 Oct 2026.
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